Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together. Thou shalt not wear a mingled stuff, wool and linen together. . Thou shalt make thee twisted cords upon the four corners of thy covering, wherewith thou coverest thyself. (Deuteronomy 22:10–12)
לֹא תַחֲרֹשׁ בְּשׁוֹר וּבַחֲמֹר יַחְדָּו. לֹא תִלְבַּשׁ שַׁעַטְנֵז צֶמֶר וּפִשְׁתִּים יַחְדָּו.
גְּדִלִים תַּעֲשֶׂה לָּךְ עַל אַרְבַּע כַּנְפוֹת כְּסוּתְךָ אֲשֶׁר תְּכַסֶּה בָּהּ. (דברים כ״ב, י–יב)
What is the purpose of “Thou shalt make thee twisted cords,” and how does it relate to Numbers’ fringes commandment (15:37–41)?
Deuteronomy’s verse is a short independent passage immediately after prohibitions on plowing with ox and ass together and wearing mixed wool and linen. Their connection appears associative. The first two follow separation of kinds, with “not” and “together” as keywords. The cords do not follow this principle; their command follows mixed-fabric prohibition because both concern clothing.
Notice its unusual nature: the Torah instructs making cords but does not explain their purpose or meaning. Ancient listeners presumably understood the familiar cultural context, though it is no longer clear to us.
Perhaps Israelite men wore garments decorated with cords along their edges as a marker of national and social identity. Deuteronomy may turn this custom into an obligation, perhaps another distinguishing sign. This is only a hypothesis, but fits the brief, unexplained wording and an important archaeological find.
Shalmaneser III’s Black Obelisk (858–824 BCE) depicts a scene from 841 BCE in which Israel’s King Jehu, or his representative, bows before Assyria’s king, followed by Israel’s delegation. It reveals ninth-century Israelite dress: a long coat or tunic reaching the ankles, with fringes or cords along all its edges, creating a distinctive appearance. This is especially apparent beside figures from other nations, whose fringes generally appear only along the lower edges.
“Four corners” can mean four garment corners rather than four edges. Yet Isaiah’s “four corners of the earth” (11:12) allows kanaf to mean a whole side or edge rather than a particular point: earth’s north, south, east, and west. The garment’s four kenafot might likewise mean its four entire edges rather than corners alone. The obelisk’s fringes along Israelite clothing’s edges support this understanding.
Numbers 15:37–41 gives a parallel command calling the decoration tzitzit, fringe, and adding a blue thread. Blue distinctly belongs to holiness: Tabernacle curtains and veil, priestly garments, and sacred-vessel coverings. Including it creates a connection with holiness.
Deuteronomy’s national meaning thus expands in Numbers into religious meaning: the fringes become a constant reminder to observe the LORD’s commandments and remain committed to Him. The decoration’s extent may nevertheless narrow. Deuteronomy more likely describes cords along all four edges, whereas Numbers may suggest that the blue thread on “the fringe of the corner” is attached at corners rather than along all edges.
